Old
English Sheepdog Puppies, Old English Sheepdog Breeders, Old English Sheepdogs For
Sale, Old English Sheepdogs

Learn about your this
breed of dog with our extensive breed profile. Read about height, weight, temperament,
good with children, activity level, grooming tips and training requirements. View
photos of the breed to see what your puppy may look like. When you decide this is
the right breed for you, then visit our Puppies For Sale listings
from private dog breeders in your area.

Description: Old English Sheepdogs are
affectionately called the "Bobtail", so named because of their lack of a tail.
The Old English Sheepdog is an affectionately loyal dog, protective of those
they love. A natural protector, they were originally the guardian of flocks
and this instinct is displayed in their tendency to adopt young animals and
children. Known as the "nanny dog" from Peter Pan, Old English Sheepdogs do
not make good guard dogs. Old English Sheepdogs are very playful and enjoy a
good romp. They are kind, friendly and get along well with many other types
of species. They are good with other people and other dogs. The Old English
Sheepdog makes good watchdogs, but are too friendly for the protective owner.
Their coat requires quite a bit of care, especially if they are in the show
ring. Some grooming for the Old English Sheepdogs can take hours, but if they
are just a regular pet, daily brushing should suffice. The breed does very well
at performing, even with fur hiding their eyes. They can have brown or blue
eyes, with a black nose and grey coloring on their white bodies. Puppies have
naturally softer and fluffier fur, while the adults have a harsh and profuse
coat. For the owner who wants a big "cuddly teddy bear" type of dog, the Old
English Sheepdog is the breed suited for this very purpose.

Other Names: Bobtail, OES

Type: Herding Dog

Height: 22 - 24
inches.Weight: 66 lbs.

Colors: Shades
of gray, grizzle or blue on a white background. The nose is black, and the eyes
are either brown or blue.Coat:Profuse and long,
but not excessive, with a good harsh texture. Puppy fur is much softer in texture.

Temperament: Old
English Sheepdogs are active, playful, and clever. They are kind, friendly and
greatly desire affection. Some demand it continuously. OES can be protective
but are hardly ever aggressive. They are alert, good with children and other
dogs and animals. Old English Sheepdogs should be trained with a firm but positive
hand, as they are a large and sometimes rambunctious breed. Some Old English
Sheepdogs do not seem to understand how big they are in relation to how playful
they can be. Some lines of Old English Sheepdogs exhibit a more aggressive protectiveness
than what is normal. With Children: Yes, gets along exceptional
well with children. May be too rambunctious and large for small children.
With Pets: Yes, enjoys the company of others.Special Skills: Sheepdog and family pets.

Watch-dog: High. OES are
aware of their surroundings and somewhat protective of their family.Guard-dog: Low. Although protective, they
are still a big friendly ball of fluff.

Care and Exercise: Constant care is needed to maintain the longhaired coat of the Old English
Sheepdog. Brush and comb through to the dense water proof undercoat at least
three times per week. Clip out tangles carefully, and try to keep the fur mat-free
by brushing regularly. Old English Sheepdogs can be professionally machine clipped
every two months. Trim around the eyes and rear end. Not normally a lazy dog,
the Old English Sheepdog does have a casual approach to exercise. A leisurely
daily stroll will prove sufficient motivation for exercise. Training: Gentle and consistent
positive handling and training is the best approach.They can be mischievous if they are bored or lonely. Owners
should try to train them even if they are simply house pets, as they are a large
breed and should be kept under control. Learning Rate: Low. Obedience - Low. OES
have a strong will, and tend to be stubborn. Problem Solving - High. Although
they look through a mane of fur, they still perform quite well when trained.

Activity:Indoors - High.
Outdoors - Very High.Special Needs: Attention and grooming.Living Environment: A house with a fenced
yard is essential. Old English Sheepdogs need an owner who is strong, confident
and patient and who will dedicate time and energy to grooming their coat.

Health Issues:
Hip dysplasia, ataxia (neurological incoordination of muscles), autoimmune disorders,
epilepsy, eye problems and OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). They are also
not suited for hot climates due to their heavy, thick coat.

Life Span:12 - 13 years.
Litter Size: 5 - 8 puppies.

Country of Origin: Great BritainHistory: In early times they were
known as just "the Shepherd's Dog". The exact origins of the Old English Sheepdog
are unclear, but the most popular consensus is that they were developed from
the Bearded Collie, Briard, and the Russian Ovcharkas. Opinions agree that the
breed began to develop by the hands of farmers in England's West Country probably
around 200 years ago where they were used to herd both sheep and cattle. A painting
by Gainsborough reveals an Old English Sheepdog from 1771. Later in 1835 a painting
by Sidney Cooper gave history another glimpse at this breed. They are thought
to have been developed in the 19th century, and the breed thrived at its job
of sheep drover and protector. In the spring, the breed would be sheared down
along with the sheep, and farmer's wives would actually spin the fur of the
sheep and the dogs to make clothing. When a tax was levied on all dogs kept
as companions rather than workers, the state distinguished worker dogs from
companion dogs by docking the worker's tails. Because of this, the breed's tail
was docked continually for years and years, eventually resulting in the breed
no longer developing a tail at all. In 1888, a breed standard was given in Britain,
and has changed little since. In 1961, this breed was used for a paint advertisement,
and popularity of the breed shot straight up - as well as the paint sales! Since
then the breed has been used for other advertisements, bringing their numbers
up. Fortunately, the OES has not been over-bred, possibly due to their intense
grooming needs. Today the breed enjoys attention from dog shows and pet lovers
all over the world.

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